Transmission compatibility

ML WYDELL · 01-02-2013, 11:21 AM

What is the difference between the R80 G/S and non-G/S transmissions? Are they interchangable?

Thanks.

bikerfish · 01-02-2013, 11:40 AM

depends on what year tranny you want to swap in it, can't remember what years you can switch. the only difference I know of in the range of trannys that will fit, is the G/S has a kickstarter.
I've swapped trannies in mine when my original needed rebuilt, putting a loaner in so I could still ride.

Beater · 01-02-2013, 01:58 PM

Anything 81 to 95 will 'work' ... and are interchangable. There are some subtle differences (like the kick starter) ... but they all work.

All of the 70 - 80 transmissions are interchangable too ... even those 4 speed (with kick) trannys on a 77 RS. Kind of fun ... but have you ever tried kicking over a 1000cc high compression engine?

It hurts, and God help your knee.

disston · 01-02-2013, 02:56 PM

There is a difference in the output shaft seal if the trans fits a dry drive shaft bike, i.e. Para Lever, I think. You can change the seal to suit the drive shaft, if you need to.

All Airheads pre 1981 are long input trannies, whether 4 or 5 speed. All Airheads 1981 and after are short input shafts. There are a number of other changes that accompany the input change so it's best to just stick with what you got. Any GS or G/S bike will automatically be a long input won't it? Did they not start until 1981 or after?

EDIT; I mean G/S and GS will be a short input!!! (I typed wrong)

ML WYDELL · 01-04-2013, 08:55 AM

Thanks for all the replies / education. Friend of mine may have to rebuild his tranny, which is overseas and parts procurement is difficult so I was looking into alternatives.

Padmei · 01-04-2013, 11:44 AM

I swapped over a 81 r65 to a 91 GS & the only difference was the gear lever - swapped them over & good to go.

01-02-2013, 11:21 AM	#1
ML WYDELL ^OP NED Joined: Apr 2009 Location: Looking for fuel Oddometer: 315	Transmission compatibility What is the difference between the R80 G/S and non-G/S transmissions? Are they interchangable? Thanks.

01-02-2013, 01:58 PM	#3
Beater Scope Creep's Victim Joined: Sep 2009 Location: Decatur, GA, USA Oddometer: 2,204	Anything 81 to 95 will 'work' ... and are interchangable. There are some subtle differences (like the kick starter) ... but they all work. All of the 70 - 80 transmissions are interchangable too ... even those 4 speed (with kick) trannys on a 77 RS. Kind of fun ... but have you ever tried kicking over a 1000cc high compression engine? It hurts, and God help your knee. __________________ Fred '85 R80RT G/Sified '91 R100GS Bumblebee Airhead Zen: Ride-Maintain-Repair-Ride On.

01-02-2013, 02:56 PM	#4
disston ShadeTreeExpert Joined: Mar 2011 Location: Silver Spring, Md Oddometer: 4,990	There is a difference in the output shaft seal if the trans fits a dry drive shaft bike, i.e. Para Lever, I think. You can change the seal to suit the drive shaft, if you need to. All Airheads pre 1981 are long input trannies, whether 4 or 5 speed. All Airheads 1981 and after are short input shafts. There are a number of other changes that accompany the input change so it's best to just stick with what you got. Any GS or G/S bike will automatically be a long input won't it? Did they not start until 1981 or after? EDIT; I mean G/S and GS will be a short input!!! (I typed wrong) __________________ Never memorize something you can look up. ---Albert Einstein disston screwed with this post 01-02-2013 at 04:07 PM

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01-02-2013, 11:40 AM	#2
bikerfish flyfishandride Joined: Aug 2010 Location: western pa Oddometer: 970	depends on what year tranny you want to swap in it, can't remember what years you can switch. the only difference I know of in the range of trannys that will fit, is the G/S has a kickstarter. I've swapped trannies in mine when my original needed rebuilt, putting a loaner in so I could still ride.

01-04-2013, 08:55 AM	#5
ML WYDELL ^OP NED Joined: Apr 2009 Location: Looking for fuel Oddometer: 315	Thanks for all the replies / education. Friend of mine may have to rebuild his tranny, which is overseas and parts procurement is difficult so I was looking into alternatives.

01-04-2013, 11:44 AM	#6
Padmei enamoured Joined: Mar 2008 Location: Nelson New Zealand Oddometer: 2,485	I swapped over a 81 r65 to a 91 GS & the only difference was the gear lever - swapped them over & good to go.